Pop Up Gatherings

We are sorry to confirm the annual Fal Oyster Gathering in March 2017 has been cancelled due to critically low stock levels on the fishery!

The Pop Up Gathering on the last weekend of the oyster season has been running since 2010, but due to a very low yield on the fishery this season it has been unviable for crew and even more difficult for merchants.

Research shows that the Fal has between 0.4 and 0.7 oysters per square metre! 400-600 hectares, some dense and some sparse, average 57mm and only 26% were over 65mm.

The previous Minimum Landing Size of 2" 5/8 hasn't changed since 1926 and allows 2-3yr old oysters to be legal, but the new 67mm MLS is "its longest rather than shortest length" so possibly even younger oysters !

Native oysters have barely reached maturity until 4yr - so an 80mm MLS would be better for fishermen and better for merchants... now it has come to light that it is critical for the future stock of the unique Fal Oyster Fishery

What started with just an oyster knife and a cool box full of the first batch of Cornish Native Oysters in the corner of a pub has become an annual pilgrimage for many visitors to the Falmouth Oyster Festival, however they are not in the main event, they are on the fringe, at The 'Front, Customs House Quay, behind Trago and Harbour Lights, the home of some of the early festivals !

"The 'Front also happens to be the old Customs & Exercise office and so we thought it would be great to celebrate the 1830 beer act" says Chris Ranger (oysterman, merchant, restaurateur, shucker & harbour racer) "with our fully licensed pop up oyster bar @OstracaCornwall and Rebel Brewing Co responsible for the latest brew of #FalOysterStout, as well as the latest Tres Hombres New Dawn Rum, we hope to have a sneaky nip or two of a very special dawning... Oh and with Camel Valley putting the BRUT in #ShellfishBRUT we aim to bring you the ultimate pop up venue before we take the whole thing on tour to parties, festivities and @PopUpGatherings ending up back @CarlyonBeach for Easter 2016 and the "7th Fal Oyster Gathering", which by all accounts maybe about to become part of something much bigger"

Of course, on the menu will be all sizes of Fal Oysters fresh from the fishery and verified by Trading Standards as a Genuine 'Fal Oyster' with Protected Designation of Origin status. Fal Oyster Ltd. t/a Cornish Native Oysters, based right on the fishery at Mylor, are the 1st company to be verified and the Fal Oyster is the ONLY oyster to have a PDO, Whitstable has PGI.

Tempura Pothilly Rocks with Wasabi Mayo

Additionally Ostraca will always have a specials board of Porthilly Rock Oysters, natural, Kilpatrick, Rocker Fella, or tempura, other cooked options such as Steak & Oyster will be available too.

CJ RangerFal Oyster Ltd.

ENDS

[Kiddlywink (sometimes spelt kiddleywink) is an old name for a Cornish beer shop or beer house, which became popular after the 1830 beer act. They were licensed to sell beer or cider by the Customs & Exercise rather than by a Magistrate's Licence which was required by traditional Taverns and Inns. They were reputed to be the haunts of smugglers and often had an unmarked bottle of spirits under the counter.Farm labourers could receive beer instead of their wages.

We will be serving the freshest fish and shellfish landed by local day boats, the last of the seasons Fal Oysters accompanied by Rebel Brewing Co's Fal Oyster Stout (2nd limited edition), Skinners Pennycomequick, Camel Valley Wines and the newest arrival to Falmouth is the Tres Hombres Rum landed from the only sail cargo vessel!!

We've moved again from our previous venues to Falmouth where there's enough space for an Aussie Marquee and Skinners Bar and large enough to keep everyone warm and dry inside. We're open 10 till 10!

Celebrate the unique Fal Oyster and its new Protected Food Name, and enjoy fish and shellfish landed by local fishermen using traditional and sustainable methods.

Come and enjoy recipes and menus created with local produce by top chefs, both local and from exclusive London restaurants, Dale McIntosh from Merchants Manor and Mark Apsey from Idle Rocks then from Marylebone in London Masaki Sugisaki and his sushi masters atDiningswhose contemporary Japanese tapas combine traditional Japanese and modern European cuisine.

The Local Producers Market lets you see (and buy) the produce that these renowned chefs will turn into their delicious recipes for you to eat all weekend.

The second Fal Oyster Race from the Fal Oyster Fishery to the Fal Oyster Gathering starts again at 1300 Mylor Harbour, this year Hannah Batstone Contemporary Jewellery has been commissioned by Fal Oyster to cast a Pewter Fal Oyster for the trophy... Prize giving by Betty Stogs... if its sunny... :)

Not forgetting live music on Miss Peapods Stage: Shanties on Friday, bands on Saturday including headline act Lightknife Band at 2030, but Sunday its a Mother's Day so a Camel Valley special.

We will also be proud to showcase our new venture OSTRACA and introduce the Fal Mussel at the inaugural Fal Mussel Festival...